The Crutiatus Potion
Severus decided to abandon the work in the office before he even started something; a free weekend, a late breakfast and the sudden interest of the headmaster made Severus feel even more uneasy. He walked restless through some lonely parts of the Hogwarts grounds, but nothing restored the inner calm. The escaping foul temper of the professor reprimanded some students on return to the yard. As much as he looked forward to a quiet child-free castle, the more he knew that the summer didn't bring any good. Self-contempt sneaked through Severus' blood, killing the false brightness of the morning. A relation with Leonor was dangerous, highly risky in spying. Mistrust had many faces; Dumbledore's non-verbal signs were just one of them. The Dark Lord wouldn't be patient; he was harder to please before putting punishment aside.
Albus found Severus reading in his private chamber. Dumbledore's small talk encouraged Severus only a little. It intensified only the feeling of helplessness against the apparently wiser headmaster. A small fire filled the room with a comfortable temperature. Even in summer, it was difficult on the lower floors to do without if the shadows of the afternoon touched forest and lake.
"What have you and Leonor been investigating?" Dumbledore put some wood to the fire before positioning himself in front of Severus with a scrutinizing look.
"A potion against the after-effects of the Crutiatus Curse. It helps against the pain, the tremor; the mental damage caused by the lethal stimulation of the nervous system. Nevertheless, it needs to be taken in time. Leonor tested the potion on the muggles," said Severus flatly.
"I presume the stocks are filled and St. Mungo's is equipped?"
"A hand-picked number of people know about it."
"Well done, both of you," Dumbledore sounded truly approving. "Is there anything else you want me to tell?"
Severus glanced at the old wizard suspiciously and handed him the written recipe and a small flask. "The quantity is sufficient for the treatment of the first twenty-four hours after the attack." Dumbledore put both into his robes and waited attentively, but Severus was not willing to discuss anything further. Everything was written down; the way of developing the remedy did not matter.
"I'm pleased you like Leonor's company. She's very smart, even-tempered, your age—"
"I noticed," Severus said it quietly cutting short the conversation about private matters. There was no reason to ask for anything yet. He hoped the healer status saved Leonor, St. Mungo's a welcome refuge.
"How's Karkaroff these days?" questioned Dumbledore lightly.
"He has plans; I trust he's well-prepared to last out a while. He won't be the Dark Lords first interest. Igor will gain time by that."
"—and your plans?"
"The same as at the Yule Ball—"
"Does Leonor agree to it? She may need to understand your motives." Dumbledore tilted his head with a stern expression.
"It's nobody's concern. I keep my promise to save Potter," snapped Severus. Worry shot through him like a catastrophic forest fire mingled with the discontent of the current situation. Of course, she knew, guessed it so easily nearly a year ago. He didn't mind anymore; Leonor had not used it against him. Severus was able to hide many things from many people, but he had not been able to hide it from the pretty dark-haired woman. He hardly admitted it to himself. He got lost in her eyes, the soft lips and the delicate body, even more since she knew. Wasn't a spy's best practice the secrecy and solitude? It had been Severus guarantee of survival, and he broke it with meeting Leonor! Why should Dumbledore know that it released part of the task's burden when it sealed more danger to another person? What help would it be?
Lily forced her way into Severus' musing; he loved Lily and couldn't let her go. "You promised to keep it to yourself," pressed Severus through gritted teeth interrupting the glum thoughts. Black would kill himself laughing if he knew. Severus would be a laughable puppet if his love for a muggle-born became public in the dark ranks. He endured the taunts of Mulciber and all Slytherins while he was a boy just for talking to a Gryffindor, but the derision as an adult was mind-boggling. The Dark Lord accepted to spare Lily's life to allow Severus to get even with Potter's crowd of cocksure idiots. Severus promised to have fun with the pretty woman; the fun considered by Voldemort's evil brain almost killed Leonor in her youth. A frisson of nausea shook Severus body.
"As you wish, Severus," sighed Albus and sat back into one of the shabby armchairs. "The rules of Hogwarts allow sheltering the family of the faculty members if the need arises. You know that Severus."
There was a long silence and both men watched the dancing flames. The Dark Lord expected loyalty of all family members in the inner circle; he'd test Leonor and torture if he found any weakness. Hogwarts couldn't help to avoid the mistrust of You-Know-Who.
Dumbledore resumed the conversation after a while. "I intended to find a new defence teacher when I employed Leonor. Instead, I hired another potions master. Interesting, isn't it?" chuckled Dumbledore.
"Do you question my position?" replied Severus bemused. A small hope sprouted about a mind change in staffing his favourite teaching post. Was Dumbledore about to give it to the potions master?
"Not yet. Leonor's skills are interesting for good and evil. She's able to serve both sides," spoke Dumbledore more to himself.
Severus looked confused; the dark skull on his forearm anguished him more considering a complete return into the dark circles. What if Dumbledore considered sending Severus away? Hogwarts had been a safe harbour in the past, escaping the unpredictable mood of the Dark Lord and the repeated raids.
"What does that mean?" replied Severus with forced curiosity.
"I will ask her to join the Order of Phoenix. It would be a pity to leave her to the other side," said Dumbledore with a detached side glance at Severus and exited the small chamber without looking back.
XXX
Severus hardly slept more than a few hours a night since the conversation with Dumbledore. Body and mind were tense. He'd been entrapped with a sickening ease by the old man. The woman he valued changed into the plaything of the approaching fight. Once more he was not enough, once more he was controlled, once more he had to give what he wanted to keep. Severus detested his life. It wasn't his own while Dumbledore's attitude echoed in his ears about the right and the easy way. Where was the wise advice about what to do next? The headmaster's nose sniffed obviously Leonor's importance to the sullen potions master. Severus could do with a little comfort; apparently, the headmaster had just enough for Potter. Still, a stronger target made Severus move to do the necessary.
Severus heart burnt with resentment and jealousy, but he restrained himself and passed the lawns and Hogsmeade to meet Leonor at home. The promised dance at the guild's celebration was compelling; a sweet reminder of Christmas. He hoped the advanced age of the guild members withheld all from the dance floor. Narcissa's patronizing character would keep Lucius to his wife's side; the danger lay still in the talks. Leonor would amuse herself and there was little to do against it without blowing covers. He had to play his role well.
White clover covered Jackson's garden; somehow the magical plants looked strong. The rare yellow monkshood looked promising this year. Severus nicked it from here to brew the 'Draught of the Living Death' in his sixth year. It was too expensive but created a much better potion. Slughorn's evident curriculum made it easy for Severus to be prepared even without much money.
Severus squinted upstairs to figure details concealed by the beginning twilight. There was nothing to see, except the flaccid white rose on the window sill in a pathetic light. The full moon was over and the energy of the charm went to the lowest level. He decided to use the door to the surgery. A forceful knock made his knuckles ache. The door opened without offering resistance. Severus experienced a ripple created by a series of spells before stepping over the door sill. He stopped just inside somehow satisfied with the protection and a little proud to be exclusively allowed inside. A balmy breeze of the summer night moved his hair and cloak. Indifference replaced emotions. The room changed since the last visit. It looked more professional.
XXX
Leonor paced and turned the last time in front of the large mirror. The necklace with the white diamond shimmered nicely. Alma and Rosmerta gave many bits of advice like "Let him wait!" "Don't show your gown before you arrive at the party!" "Be friendly to other men too!". They were so nosy, but at least wished a good ball with the sullen potions master. They accepted Leonor's choice. Unfortunately, Maria had not come around yet. Leonor sighed and cloaked herself quickly to meet Severus. She smiled looking forward to the evening. The unfailing punctual arrival was so much like Severus!
Leonor walked purposefully downstairs. The traditional wizarding robes swished as she walked past the polished dark wood. Leonor remembered the confident and proud look on Ashley's face when the bridegroom expected her for the ceremony. She felt the same confidence and pride, despite a long way ahead. She'd come a long way to meet love; she could still walk a while until Severus was ready too. Burke and Fawley promised to introduce her covertly to the worthwhile guild members — Severus was with her; it was safe.
Leonor slipped through the lab, rounded the corner and stopped dead, just shell-shocked. A figure stood in the dark, illuminated by the sparse remaining daylight of the sinking sun. The sight was eerie; similar to one of Cathy Greengrass' illusions. It was even worse; she got the hang of what the vision meant. A man loomed in the door frame, tall and formidable. A seldom dark power radiated from the sight. Leonor shivered. She could not conceive of such things happening with Severus unrecognizable under a face mask.
"Are you ready?" asked Severus with a deep velvety voice drawing his wand lazily to illuminate the lights. It pulled Leonor out of the cruel idea what happened if Death Eaters run into any home. Severus offered his arm with a sneer and Leonor followed him outside with weak knees. The apparition carried them promptly to Burke's mansion. Low hanging white willows covered the new arrivals. Voices reverberated with conversation and laughter behind the high walls overrun by ivy. Severus drew his wand. The protective spells returned nothing. Leonor composed the usual self-confidence; everything seemed to be normal, no unforeseen danger.
"Go!" hissed Severus. Leonor's dark brown eyes met his gaze with a quizzical expression. Severus saw the reflection of his pale appearance in it. She was confused about his harsh intonation, alert, almost anxious. "Just go, I'll follow soon," said Severus a little softer and it took only seconds until Leonor left the safe spot to apparate directly to the gate.
Starchy servants and over-excited elves welcomed the guests and escorted them through hall and drawing room into the garden. All doors stood wide open, wonderful candles illuminated garden and house. The private party was quite large. Leonor recognized the potions department of St. Mungo's and the delegation travelling soon to Brazil. Richard, Matteo, and other colleagues bustled between small talk, appetizers and sparkling wine. Brian waved from the end of a large banqueting table much to Leonor's dismay. Brian's pompous behaviour and Severus' biting sarcasm where like fire and ice. The Malfoy's and other nasty representatives of the pure-blood mania were nowhere to be seen. Anyway, the party feeling was gone and the dreams inflamed by the gossip of the landladies with it. Leonor needed to play along in public. Blaise Zabini's mother greeted Leonor first but walked soon away to amuse herself coquettishly with a group of obviously single ministry workers. Alice Burke noticed Leonor first. A broad smile appeared on the elderly face. Eldred and Alice joined her soon with a genuine smile.
"My dear! It's so nice to see you again. You look beautiful after all the stress! Your dress is pure magic! I like to be young again!" Alice Burke addressed Leonor with a wink and a surprisingly bone-crushing hug.
"Thank you very much! Good to see you too! Best regards from Professor Dumbledore. He's unable to come due to other work commitments," said Leonor sounding a little sorry.
"Oh, my dear, never mind. He's not been a frequent visitor. It's more a matter of etiquette to invite the greatest wizard of all times." Eldred Burke's tone implied that he never expected to meet the headmaster tonight. "I'm more curious about your present!" Burke glanced mischievously at a package wrapped in shining blue paper.
"Here you are! Hope you'll never need it!" replied Leonor seriously and handed the package to a curious couple of sponsors. Alice snapped it out of her husband's hands and pressed it to her breasts. A wet glance appeared in her eyes and Leonor couldn't identify if it was delight or pain.
"It really helps?" she asked eagerly.
"It does," confirmed Leonor embracing the old woman gingerly. "The ingredients are expensive, but it's worth it."
"I'll take it inside." The voice of the host sounded firm and determined again before she walked inside and upstairs. Her husband followed her with a concerned look and heaved a sigh.
"She'll never forget the torture. She hasn't after all those years," said Burke thoughtfully.
"Nobody would forget."
"Of course not. Let's have a drink! The heavy thoughts must not ruin the night." Burke led Leonor to a tray floating in mid-air. "Didn't you bring Severus Snape?"
"He mentioned to attend tonight," said Leonor indifferently.
"He deserves some recognition even if he will brush it off with one of his famous sardonic sneers." Burke grinned and emptied the glass in one go. "Not many people get something out of Snape, but you. He rarely answers inquiries of guild members. He's such a private person. Nobody likes to contact him, but if, the answers are brilliant. We've lost the boy about a year before the Dark Lords downfall. It's a pity. Alice took it very personally. I hope Dumbledore keeps an eye on him." Burke shook his head frustrated. "My wife and the Fawley's wouldn't mind seeing more of you two, of course only for scientific purposes!" Burke scrutinized Leonor sternly. The talk made Leonor swallow a lump in her throat, but before her voice returned the old man patted on Leonor's shoulder and left thoughtfully.